This French Madeleines recipe is perfect for whipping up a quick and easy snack or delightful dessert that your family will absolutely love! These little buttery cake shells are the best choice to impress your friends at the coffee table!
Ingredients for Classic French Madeleines
These Madeleines are all about simplicity, and I love that they use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, melted until browned: The rich, nutty flavor from browned butter takes these Madeleines to the next level!
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: For that sweet aroma that makes these treats so comforting.
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated: This adds a light, refreshing citrus note. You can substitute with orange zest if you prefer!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base of these delightful cakes.
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking powder: This gives the sweetness a nice lift.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Just a couple pinches! It balances the sweetness beautifully.
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature: Trust me; they help in achieving that lovely fluffiness.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar: Sweet as a summer day!
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, sifted (optional): A sprinkle on top elevates their presentation!
Tips for Ingredient Prep:
- Butter: Brown your butter until it turns golden and fragrant. This will enhance the flavor beautifully!
- Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend more seamlessly into the batter, so don’t skip this!
- Zest: Use a microplane for lemon (or orange) zest to avoid any chunks.
How to Make Classic French Madeleines
Now, let’s dive into the baking process. Don’t worry, it’s super simple and totally worth it!
Step 1: Brown the Butter
Begin by cutting your butter into tablespoons and placing it in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. As it melts, stir occasionally until it reduces and the milk solids sink to the bottom and turn a beautiful golden brown, about 10 minutes. The aroma will be heavenly! Remove from heat and pour it into a bowl. Stir in vanilla and lemon zest, then allow it to cool while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, combine your flour, baking powder, and salt. Just a couple pinches of salt in this mix will give your Madeleines the perfect balance!
Step 3: Beat the Eggs and Sugar
Using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer if that’s what you have), beat the eggs on medium speed and gradually add the granulated sugar. Keep mixing until the batter thickens and turns pale, about 3-4 minutes. You want it to be light and fluffy, this mixture is the heart of your Madeleines.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Now, it’s time to gently fold in the flour mixture into the egg-sugar mix in three additions. Be careful not to overmix; you want to maintain that lovely airy texture! Finally, fold in the browned butter mixture, making sure it’s well incorporated.
Step 5: Chill the Batter
Once everything is mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if you want to prep ahead! This step helps develop the Madeleines’ signature hump.
Step 6: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, butter and flour your madeleine molds; this helps them pop out easily once baked.
Step 7: Scoop the Batter
Scoop your chilled batter into the molds. You won’t need to spread it out. It’s just fine being mounded up.
Step 8: Bake
Now, bake them for about 12 minutes until they are golden brown around the edges and the tops spring back when touched. Patience is key here; just wait for that delicious aroma to fill your kitchen!
Step 9: Remove and Dust
Let the Madeleines cool for about 5 minutes in the pan before carefully loosening them with a knife and transferring them to a wire rack. Dust with confectioners’ sugar while they’re still warm for that picture-perfect finish!
And voilà! Your Classic French Madeleines are ready to be served warm alongside your favorite coffee or tea.
If you loved these French Madeleines, be sure to check out my Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, my Tiramisu Cookies, or my Peanut Butter Bars!
Why You’ll Love Classic French Madeleines
Quick & Easy
In just under 30 minutes of hands-on time, you’ll have a batch of delightful Madeleines to impress your family and friends. Plus, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a killer homemade treat that hardly requires any forethought?
Make-Ahead Friendly
The chilling step actually makes these delightful treats ideal for meal prep. You can prepare your batter one day and bake it the next! This is perfect for those days when you want something sweet but don’t have time to start from scratch.
Crowd-Pleaser
Whether it’s a family get-together, brunch with friends, or just an afternoon snack, these Madeleines always steal the show! I mean, who can resist a tender little cake that pairs perfectly with a warm beverage?
Customizable
This classic recipe is just a great canvas for creativity. Want to try a flavored version? Go nuts! Swap the lemon zest for orange or even add in chocolate chips. Trust me, you can’t go wrong here!
Serving and Storage Tips
These Classic French Madeleines are best served warm, fresh out of the oven, but they keep pretty well, too. Here’s how to enjoy them at their best:
Serving Suggestions
- Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Slice them up and serve with fresh fruit or berries for a lovely brunch spread.
Storage
You can store leftover Madeleines in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. However, I bet they won’t last that long!
Freezing Instructions
Yes! You can freeze these! Simply wrap the cooled Madeleines in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months! When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw at room temperature, or pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for just a few minutes to warm and crisp them up.
So there you have it, my beloved Classic French Madeleines recipe that’s not only quick and easy to prepare, but a true delight to eat. Perfect for busy families but impressive enough for any gathering, these sweet little cakes have secured a special place in my recipe repertoire.
Next time you’re in the mood for a little something sweet, or when you want to impress guests without the fuss, just remember this handy recipe. Enjoy the process, share the love, and trust me, you’ll be hearing, “Can we have more?” in no time! Happy baking!
And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
Print
Classic French Madeleines
- Total Time: 240 minutes
- Yield: 24 Madeleines 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful little buttery cake shells that are quick and easy to make, perfect for any gathering or sweet craving.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, melted until browned
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, sifted (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes until golden and fragrant, then cool.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Beat eggs and gradually add sugar until the mixture thickens and turns pale, about 3-4 minutes.
- Gently fold in the flour mixture in three additions, then fold in the browned butter mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate the batter for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare madeleine molds with butter and flour.
- Scoop the chilled batter into the molds without spreading it out.
- Bake for about 12 minutes until golden brown and tops spring back when touched.
- Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack and dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Notes
Best served warm and can be frozen for up to 3 months. They pair well with coffee or tea.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Madeleine
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg